It's better," said Scout's Brian Dohn, the Northeast recruiting analyst for Scout.com. "It's still not good enough yet."

The Syracuse football team's current recruiting class ranks as high as No. 30 in the country on recruiting websites. It's average-per-player rank droops as low as No. 73.

One indicator says Syracuse is headed for its best recruiting class this decade and sits on the verge of joining the top half of the ACC. The other says it's maintained the relatively low level maintained during Doug Marrone's reign and remains stuck near the bottom of its new conference.

Recruiting analysts believe the truth, as it often does, falls somewhere in between.

Syracuse's Class of 2015 is an improvement over efforts of the three most recent coaching staffs, three recruiting analysts agreed, but it won't do much to make the Orange a legitimate title contender in the ACC.

"It's better," said Scout's Brian Dohn, the Northeast recruiting analyst for Scout.com. "It's still not good enough yet."

The dramatic differences have created two different perspectives about the current coaching staff's efforts.

In an effort to get an intelligent perspective, Syracuse.com contacted analysts from three prominent websites (Scout, ESPN and 247 Sports) and asked them to take a deeper look at Syracuse's recruiting class.

"I would err on the side of it's a good class," said JC Shurburtt, national recruiting analyst for 247 Sports. "I think it's a bigger step forward than last year's was. I think they got a couple of kids, who might not have positions, but could play anywhere in the country. Last year I don't think they got that type of guy."

With Syracuse historically sitting near the bottom of the ACC's rankings, head coach Scott Shafer, like his predecessor, has taken a cynical approach to recruiting experts.

"If any of my guys come in and tell me this guy is 4-stars on this site or that site, I tell them I don't want to hear it," Shafer said.

With his staff largely returning intact for his second season, Shafer said his staff has gotten further ahead this year, allowing coaches to determine which recruits were significantly interested and getting more players on campus for unofficial visits during the summer months, a bonus for teams located in the north.

The early success puts Syracuse among the fastest movers in the country, a peer group that includes Mississippi State, South Carolina, Boston College, Clemson, Tennessee, Miami, Alabama, Texas A&M and Auburn.

Dohn warned that the fast start doesn't necessarily equal a major upgrade in talent.

"Don't let it fool you," Dohn said. "The process has sped up so much in just the past two years. Coaches want to get it done and are willing to project players a little more. Players want to secure their spots, but more than that, they are worried about injuries and just want the process to be over."

Syracuse currently has verbals from two players given four-star status by 247 Sports in Daiquan Kelly and Dontae Strickland.

The Orange finished with four players in that category on National Signing Day last season, a group that included quarterbacks Alin Edouard and A.J. Long and receivers Adly Enoicy and K.J. Williams (Williams did not qualify academically and has re-opened his recruitment).

Dohn pointed out that beating Rutgers for New Jersey recruits was a sign or progress for Syracuse, but said SU is still rarely beating out power conference teams for players located in their backyard.

All three analysts maintained that the lack of a more dramatic improvement isn't the fault of the Syracuse coaching staff and that turning around a program's recruiting reputation takes time.

Haubert pointed to Florida, a program that finished 4-8 last year, but because of national championships, Heisman Trophy winners and prime recruiting terrain, continues to recruit at an elite level.

"It's a marathon, not a sprint," Haubert said.

New Jersey recruits Strickland and Kelly are the players closest to marquee status.

"Kelly is 6-foot-3, he runs a 4.5, he's the type of kid that can be an NFL safety," Shurburtt said. "He's the type of kid that Virginia Tech has recruited who has done really well."

Each analyst also named at least one other recruit among their favorites, a sign that Syracuse could make up in depth what it lacks in star power.

Shurburtt called New York running back Tyrone Perkins a steal. Dohn is a fan of the explosiveness of New York running back Jordan Fredericks. Haubert likes the toughness of Florida offensive lineman Sam Clausman and defensive lineman Dana Levine.

Those players, analysts say, have the potential to improve Syracuse's place in the ACC pecking order.

The road to the top, however, remains a long one that Syracuse, despite the fast start, is only just beginning.

"They're getting guys that in the past five to eight years they haven't gotten," Dohn said. "They're excited about that. Rightfully so. They're getting good players. But is that going to help you with Florida State and Clemson? Is that even enough to beat Louisville, North Carolina, Miami or Virginia Tech? I don't know.

"They're doing better than they have. There's still a long way to go."